Vehicle-body.



No. 769,455. PATENTED SEPT. 6, 1904, J. D. ARTZ.

VEHICLE BODY.

APPLIOATIOR' FILED APR. 15, 1904.-

N0 MODEL.

-4 {7 .Z'/\/ VENTOR ITNESSES. K gnaw. 44 121323 Patented September 6,1904.

NITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

JOHN DUDLEY ARTZ, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

VEHICLE-BODY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 769,455, datedSeptember 6, 1904 Application filed April 15, 1904. Serial Nu, 203,255.'No modelJ To LU wit/mt if may concern.-

Be it known that I, JoI-IN .DUDLEY Airrz, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State ofOhio. have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVehicle-Bodies; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it api ance of the vehicle-body either as asingle-scat or as a double-seat vehicle will be preserved.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a folding scat Which iseasily manipulated and does not impede the entrance to or departure fromthevehicle when in either position namely, an operative position or afolded position all as will hereinafter be more fully described.

Preceding a detail description of the invention reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, of WlllCl1-- Figure l is a perspective viewshowing the vehicle converted into a two-seated vehicle. Fig. 2 is asimilar view showing the rear folding seat in a position to be loweredin converting the vehicle into a single-seated conveyance. Fig. 3 is asimilar view showing the vehicle converted into a single-seatedconveyance. Fig. 4: is an enlarged detail of one of the hooks or devicesof the folding side panels. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of one of theclcathooks which support the folding seat on the hinged side panels.

7 are detail views showing the connection of the rear folding seat withthe back.

In the specification similar reference characters indicate correspondingparts.

The sides A of the vehicle-body extend up- Figs. (5 and 1 l wardly at Ato form the inclosing side panels of the stationary seat B. The portionof the vehicle-body between the side extensions A and the front end arelow cut, as at O, in the usual manner, in order that the occupant oroccupants of the front seat may easily get in and out of the vehicle.This feature of having the sides cut low is utilized in the rear of thestationary seat at D in connection with the rear folding scat F in orderthat equal facility may be afforded for entering and leaving saidfolding seat. In other words, the folding seat is as easy of ingress andegress as the stationary scat B. \Vith this advantage in view the bodysides A in the rear of the stationary scat B are uniformly low cut tocorrespond with the low cut in the forward portion of the body, andthere is thus preserved a symmetrical design for the side panels of thebody.

The rear or folding seat as a whole consists of a back panel H, which issuitably hinged at the rear of the body, said back panel H beingsuitably upholstered to provide the usual cushion.

J designates side panel extensions which extend from the back panel Hand partially inclose the sides of the folding seat. These panels J arerigidly secured to the back panel H and have their inner edges K taperedupwardl and outwardly from the lower ends, so that said panels partakeof triangular forms, terminating in rounded ends L. The edges K and Lform matching surfaces for the vehicle-body when the various partscomprising I the folding seat are lowered, as in Fig. 3.

For example, when the seat is folded the edges K and L meet the edges Kof the vehiclebody and the rounded ends L of the panels J meet therounded surfaces L in the rear of the side panels A, and thus form aneat joint between the folding seat and the portion of the vehicle-bodyin the rear of the stationary seat.

M designates hinged or folding side panels of the folding seat. Thesepanels are connected by suitable hinges 11 to the inner sides of thepanels J, so as to fold inwardly, and when so folded the edges K of saidpanels J are left free to meet and engage the edges K of the body, ashereinbefore stated. The folding side panels M are suitably curved tosymmetrically join the upper edges of the panels J and the edges of thebody sides immediately in the rear of the stationary seat B, and thusreproduce anoutline of the front-seat panels A. Suitable stops N areplaced on the lower inner sides of the folding side panels M to preventthem from moving outwardly or up wardly when in an operative position.

The folding seat O proper may be hinged at its rearward edge directly tothe back H by means of angular hinges b, or a cleat 0 may be secured tosaid back and the folding seat 0 connected with said cleat by hinges d.Any other suitable connection may be provided for the folding seat 0,keeping in mind the necessity of its folding toward the back. The seatOis thereby enabled to fold upwardly against said back panel H when it isdesired to place said seat out of a serviceable position. When said seatis lowered to its horizontal or serviceable position, it rests uponsuitable cleats on the inner sides of the folding panels M and is lockedto said cleats by hooks Gr. In placing the folding seat out of an operative position the seat proper is raised on its hinges against theback. The hinged side panels M are then folded inwardly one upon theother and the entire folding parts are lowered, as in Fig. 3.

P designates a substantial flexible connection fastened to the floor ofthe vehicle and to the bottom of the folding seat. This device holdssaid folding seat from tilting rearwardly when it is raised and beforethe side panels M are locked in place. Other means may, however, beprovided for holding the seat from backward movement on its hinges.

The meeting edges between the panels J and the vehicle-body may becushioned in order to deaden any possible noise due to the movingvehicle.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. A convertible seat forvehicle-bodies, comprising a back panel hinged to a rearward portion ofthe vehicle-body, side panel extensions rigidly projecting from saidback panel, folding panels hinged to said side extensionpanels, and aseat-panel hinged to the back panel and folding thereagainst.

2. A convertible seat for vehicle-bodies, comprising a back hinged tothe rearward portion of the vehicle-body, side panel extensionsprojecting from said back, folding side panels hinged to said sideextensionpanels, and a seat.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN DUDLEY ARTZ.

Witnesses:

R. J. McCARTY, C. M. THEOBALD.

